Single-molecule systems

ABSTRACT

A system comprising elements that interact with individual molecules so as to generate and sustain a flow from those molecules. Preferably, the elements include an enclosure defined by physical, mathematical, or statistical boundaries, and the elements include components that move rotationally within said enclosure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a plurality of single-molecule systems separated from their surroundings by an enclosure.

2. Related Art

Conventional systems for dealing with working fluids (e.g., liquids and gasses) deal with those fluids in a aggregate or bulk manner. For example, conventional fans generate bulk flow by moving macroscopic fan blades through a working fluid such as air.

A problem with these conventional systems is that they attempt to interact with molecules in a working fluid in a same manner regardless of the particular physical characteristics and quantities that characterize individual molecules.

For example, molecules in air are actually moving in all different directions and in varying speeds. The average of these directions generates a perceivable bulk flow in the air, and the average of the speeds generates a perceivable temperature. When a conventional fan blade impacts these molecules, it is not designed to impact some molecules differently than others. Rather, the blade simply strikes any molecules that its path crosses, regardless of their physical quantities.

If some molecules in a working fluid could be affected differently from other molecules depending on the physical quantities for those molecules, many useful and surprising effects would be possible.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention addresses the foregoing needs with a system including elements that interact with individual molecules so as to generate and sustain a flow from those molecules. Preferably, the elements include an enclosure that is defined by physical, mathematical, or statistical boundaries. The elements preferably also include components that move rotationally to define said enclosure.

For example, in one embodiment the elements include a heteroscopic turbine, which can comprise microscopic or nanoscopic blades mounted on a macroscopic rotating substrate. The moving blades define a physical boundary for an enclosure. Likewise, only molecules with particular mathematically or statistically defined physical quantities (e.g., speed and direction of motion) will be captured by the blades when they rotate. The region about the elements in which molecules exhibit those mathematically or statistically defined physical quantities define mathematical or statistical boundaries for an enclosure. (These concepts are akin to a velocity boundary layer that is defined for a surface moving through a fluid—that layer is defined in terms of the velocity of molecules in the fluid in the region near the surface.)

As a result of interaction with molecules in a working fluid on an individual basis, the invention permits the selection of a group of like molecules. For example, molecules with similar directions, speeds, or other properties can be selected. These molecules can then be directed into a new type of flow that Applicant has dubbed a “bulk molecular flow.” This type of flow includes a group of molecules moving in a stream with similar speeds and directions (or other physical quantities).

In the case where molecules with similar speeds and directions are selected, the molecules in a resulting bulk molecular flow exhibit few collisions, resulting in a cooler flow with lowered pressure than the working fluid from which the molecules are collected.

The bulk molecular flows can transfer their momentum and kinetic energy to a working fluid. This can result in a bulk fluid flow in that working fluid.

In some embodiments, some elements of the system transfer physical quantities to or from said individual molecules. These physical quantities can include one or more of momentum, kinetic energy (in the form of thermal translational motion, intermolecular vibration, or molecular rotation), heat energy, photonic energy, mass, charge, electric state, magnetic state; entropy, electromagnetic field strength, radioactivity, data, information, and knowledge.

In such embodiments, the selected molecules can be from a working fluid, and the transfer of physical quantities can occur as a result of thermal translational motion of the selected molecules. This thermal translational motion can cause collisions between the molecules and the elements that transfer physical quantities. In addition, the selected molecules can further transfer physical quantities through collisions with the molecules' surroundings and other molecules, for example in the working fluid.

As mentioned above, a system according to the invention includes elements that interact with individual molecules so as to generate and sustain a flow from those molecules. In one embodiment, the elements include at least two opposing substrate surfaces that exhibit rotational translational motion within a range of the molecules' thermal velocity. These opposing substrate surfaces can be blades. One example of such an embodiment is a heteroscopic turbine, which can comprise microscopic or nanoscopic blades mounted on a macroscopic rotating substrate.

Preferably, the lengths of the blades are preferably within a range of a mean free path of the molecules, and a distance between adjacent ones of said blades is within a range of a mean free path of said molecules.

The elements of the system can be used to select individual molecules on various bases, including but not limited to one or more of direction, speed, amplitude of thermal translational motion, velocity, mass, degrees of freedom, common properties and quantities, and species.

One application of a system according to the invention is to carry waste heat from a device. In this application, at least some of the elements of the system carry waste heat from a device, and the waste heat is transferred to the molecules in the flow so as to cool said device.

One embodiment that can be used with this application includes rotational elements. The molecules with the waste heat can interact with those rotational elements. These rotational elements can convert the waste heat into rotational motion, thereby cooling the molecules and driving the rotational motion. The rotational elements in turn can drive a generator, thereby recycling the energy in the waste heat.

In another application, elements of the system can be driven by heat (including waste heat) to provide reaction energy for a chemical reaction. In this embodiment, the chemical reaction preferably occurs within the enclosure defined by the physical, mathematical, or statistical boundaries of the system.

The chemical reaction can involve a physical chemistry process that interacts with the enclosure (i.e., molecules or elements that define the enclosure). Such a physical chemistry process can involve molecules in the generated flow.

In the case that the system includes a heteroscopic turbine, reaction energy for the physical chemistry process can be governed by a speed of the heteroscopic turbine.

In a case that the system selects or sorts molecules on a basis of one or more of direction, speed, amplitude of thermal translational motion, velocity, mass, degrees of freedom, common properties and quantities, and species, the chemical reaction can involve those molecules after selection or sorting. A speed or frequency of the chemical reaction can be governed by a rate of such selection or sorting.

The invention also encompasses methods implemented by the foregoing systems.

This brief summary has been provided so that the nature of the invention may be understood quickly. A more complete understanding of the invention may be obtained by reference to the following description of the preferred embodiments thereof in connection with the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIGS. 1 and 2 show elements of possible embodiments of the invention in operation.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show relationships between angles of entry/exit of molecules and mean free pass distance for those molecules within an enclosure according to the invention.

FIG. 5 shows a stator/rotor arrangement for use with the invention.

FIG. 6 shows a cooling application for the invention.

FIG. 7 shows a cooling and electricity generation application for the invention.

FIG. 8 shows chemical reaction applications for the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Lexicon

Heteroscopic: Characterized by use of microscopic or nanoscopic principles to generate macroscopic effects.

Microscopic: Having lengths or dimensions less than or equal to one millimeter.

Nanoscopic: Having lengths or dimensions less than or equal to a billionth of a meter.

Macroscopic: Having lengths or dimensions greater than or equal to one millimeter, and numbers greater than about one hundred.

Transport speed: The mean speed of an flow of gaseous matter moving in bulk. Also called bulk speed.

Mean thermal velocity: The speed of molecules in gaseous matter.

Mean free path distance: The average distance that molecules in gaseous matter travel between collisions with other molecules in the gaseous matter.

Blade: Broadly, any edge that is moved through air. This term encompasses both flat blades and tops of holes in a moving surface.

Comparable: In this application, speeds and distances are comparable if they are within an order of magnitude of each other. For example, if air molecules have a mean thermal velocity of 500 meters per second, turbine blades moving at 50 to 5,000 meters per second would be moving at speeds comparable to the mean thermal velocity of the air molecules. Throughout this disclosure, the term “on an order of” is synonymous to “comparable to.”

Bulk molecular flow: A group of molecules moving in a stream with similar speeds and directions (or other physical quantities).

Fluid: A liquid or gas.

Bulk fluid flow: Conventional motion of a fluid, for example air blown by a conventional fan.

Overview

FIGS. 1 and 2 show elements of possible embodiments of the invention in operation.

Briefly, a system according to the invention includes elements that interact with individual molecules so as to generate and sustain a flow from those molecules.

In FIG. 1, these elements are shown as at least two opposing substrate surfaces 1 such as blades that exhibit linear or rotational translational motion 2. In a preferred embodiment, this translational motion is comparable to the molecules' mean thermal velocity. Also preferably, the lengths of the substrate surfaces are within a range of a mean free path distance of the molecules, and a distance between adjacent ones of the surfaces is within a range of a mean free path of said molecules.

FIG. 2 shows an alternative embodiment in which the elements comprise tubes or holes 3 in a substrate 4. Similar dimensional considerations apply to this embodiment as the one shown in FIG. 1. Other embodiments are possible.

Returning to FIG. 1, the elements include an enclosure 6 that is defined by physical, mathematical, or statistical boundaries. Such boundaries are shown in FIG. 1 as boundaries 7 and 8.

For example, in one embodiment the elements include a heteroscopic turbine, which comprises microscopic or nanoscopic blades mounted on a macroscopic rotating substrate. In one embodiment, the blades can be arranged in an optimal pattern such as that used with aircraft engines and other high speed turbines.

The moving blades define a physical boundary for an enclosure. Likewise, only molecules with particular mathematically or statistically defined physical quantities (e.g., speed and direction of motion) will be captured by the blades when they rotate. The region about the elements in which molecules exhibit those mathematically or statistically defined physical quantities define mathematical or statistical boundaries for an enclosure. (These concepts are akin to a velocity boundary layer that is defined for a surface moving through a fluid—that layer is defined in terms of the velocity of molecules in the fluid in the region near the surface.)

Each blade, tube, or other like element forms a “single molecule system” according to the invention. A “single molecule system” is one that interacts with and channels motion of molecules as individual entities rather than in the aggregate. The heteroscopic turbine example discussed above can be described as a plurality of single fluid molecule systems that are incorporated as a portion of the surface of a macroscopic rotor, for example.

In FIG. 1, molecules 9, 10 and 11 interact individually with substrate surfaces 1. The arrows connected to the molecules represent the velocities of those molecules. These velocities generally are in a Gaussian distribution about the mean thermal velocity of the fluid that contains the molecules.

Each of the molecules in FIG. 1 interacts differently with the elements shown in the Figure. The natures of these interactions affect the mode and possible application for a system according to the invention.

A non-interaction-mode is exemplified by applications that require the molecule to proceed through to the exit of an enclosure via its thermal translational motion without the need for, or hindrance that results from, an interaction with a surface.

An interaction-mode is exemplified by applications that require physical and logical quantities to be transferred between particles, enclosures, and surroundings.

A sort-and-filter-mode is exemplified by applications that require the separation of selected particles on the basis of their specific properties. Speed sorting is illustrated in FIG. 1 by molecules 10 and 11. Those molecules pass through channels defined by different length surfaces (e.g., blades). Slower molecule 10 passes into the rearward channel due to its slower speed, while faster molecule 11 passes into the forward channel due to its faster speed. Various ducting and porting arrangements can be used to collect one or the other types of molecules once sorting has occurred.

Other types of selection and sorting can be performed, for example by placing magnetic or electric charges, coatings, chemicals, topographical features, etc. on the surfaces. The resulting types of selection and sorting can be on various bases, including but not limited to one or more of direction, speed, amplitude of thermal translational motion, velocity, mass, radioactivity, degrees of freedom, common properties and quantities, and species.

Plural different types of sorting can be implemented on a single rotor. Preferably, sorting elements for larger and/or slower molecules are placed closer to an axis of the rotor, while sorting elements for smaller and/or faster molecules are placed closer to an outside circumference of the rotor. For example, sorting of air molecules based on speed (i.e., hot or cold) can be placed on an outside edge of a 5″ diameter rotor that moves at 70,000 RPM, while NBC (nuclear, biological and chemical) sorting elements could be placed closer to the axis.

Sorting can also be affected by spacing of the sorting elements. In general, closer elements sort for faster and/or slower molecules than elements that are spaced further apart.

Again, various ducting and porting arrangements can be used to collect different types of molecules once sorting has occurred.

In the case that molecules with like directions and speeds are sorted out and collected, these molecules can be output in a new type of flow that Applicant has dubbed a “bulk molecular flow.” Such a flow is shown in FIG. 1 as flow 12. This type of flow includes a group of molecules moving in a stream with similar speeds and directions (or other physical quantities).

Bulk molecular flow can be thought of as akin to laminar flow in that both types of flow have little internal turbulence. However, several important differences exist.

Unlike laminar flow, bulk molecular flow has significantly reduced thermal collisions within the flow. Turbulence is reduced at even the molecular level. As a result, bulk molecular flow is both faster and cooler than regular flow for molecules exhibiting similar thermal velocities. The reduced collisions also result in lower pressure within the flow. In addition, unlike laminar flow, bulk molecular flow moves at or near the thermal speed (e.g., 1,000 mph in air at standard conditions) of the molecules in the flow. Finally, while laminar flow generally occurs only with viscous liquids near a boundary, bulk molecular flow can occur with a fluid (e.g., normal air) at normal pressure and can be propagated away from a boundary.

Bulk molecular flow presents the ability to generate streams of molecules from a fluid. This in turn presents new applications in areas as diverse as cooling, heating, chemistry, etching, power generation and recycling, and others.

The bulk molecular flows can transfer their momentum and kinetic energy to a working fluid. This can result in a bulk fluid flow in that working fluid. This is shown in FIG. 1 as flow 14.

In some embodiments, some elements of the system transfer physical quantities to or from said individual molecules. These physical quantities can include one or more of momentum, kinetic energy (in the form of thermal translational motion, intermolecular vibration, or molecular rotation), heat energy, photonic energy, mass, charge, electric state, magnetic state, entropy, electromagnetic field strength, radioactivity, data, information, and knowledge.

In such embodiments, the selected molecules can be from a working fluid, and the transfer of physical quantities can occur as a result of thermal translational motion of the selected molecules. This thermal translational motion can cause collisions between the molecules and the elements that transfer physical quantities. Such a collision is illustrated for molecule 10 in FIG. 1. In addition, the selected molecules can further transfer physical quantities through collisions with the molecules' surroundings and other molecules, for example in the working fluid.

The overall nature of interactions between molecules and elements of a system according to the invention is related to the mean path distance for molecules within the system's enclosure. This distance in turn is related to the mean free path distance for the molecules and an angle of incidence (shown in FIG. 1 as angle 15) or exit (measured similarly) for the molecules. These relationships are shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

The “pinwheels” in FIGS. 3 and 4 show a convention for measuring the angle of incidence. (The small circles represent molecules, and the angles of incidence are about 70 degrees.) For molecules entering a system according to the invention, the mean free path distance within the enclosure is approximately the mean free path distance outside of the enclosure times the sine of the angle of incidence. For molecules exiting a system according to the invention, the mean free path distance within the enclosure is approximately the mean free path distance outside of the enclosure times the negative of the sine of the angle of incidence.

The blades or other structures that define the single molecule systems for an embodiment of the invention should be placed apart on an order of a mean free path distance for the molecules.

FIG. 5 shows a stator/rotor arrangement for use with the invention. Rotor 17 rotates about stator 18. These elements are preferably macroscopic in size, except that the rotor might be microscopic or nanoscopic in thickness. Elements that form single molecule systems, which are microscopic or nanoscopic in size, can be mounted in or on the rotor.

The rotor can be driven by an outside mechanical source such as a motor. Alternatively, the rotor can be driven directly by energy that impacts or otherwise drives the rotor. For example, kinetic energy (and momentum) from molecules that impact single molecule systems for the rotor can drive the rotor. Other techniques for driving the rotor can be used. Furthermore, the invention is not limited to embodiments that include a rotor. Linear motion (such as air passing over a radiator of a vehicle) also can be used.

Cooling Applications

FIG. 6 shows a cooling application for the invention. In this figure, a surface 20 to be cooled has thermal contact points 21 to which a heat carrier 22 is attached. An example of a suitable heat carrier includes but is not limited to a pyroltic graphite ribbon.

The ribbon carries heat 23 to stator 24 of a system according to the invention. The rotor preferably is driven at a speed so that the system operates in an interaction mode. Heat is transferred from the rotor to molecules that pass through the rotor (and possibly stator) through forced conduction. Output heat 26 is thereby exhausted from the system. (Forced conduction refers to a process of heat transfer that occurs without a significant thermal boundary layer between a substrate and molecules in a surrounding fluid. Heteroscopic devices such as heteroscopic turbines generate forced conduction by generating impacts between individual molecules and elements of the devices. Forced conduction also can be generated by a smooth rotor rotating sufficiently fast to disrupt a formation of a boundary layer on the surface of the rotor.)

FIG. 7 shows a cooling and electricity generation application for the invention. This application differs from that in FIG. 6 in several significant ways.

First, rotor 30 in FIG. 7 preferably is not driven by an external device. Rather, the single molecule systems on the rotor are dimensioned so that molecules heated by passing through stator 31 impact those systems. These impacts transfer kinetic energy and momentum to the rotor, thereby cooling the molecules.

Furthermore, the single molecule systems preferably collect and channel the impacting molecules into bulk molecular flow, resulting in further cooling.

The rotation of the rotor can be used to drive a generator such as generator 32, thereby recycling the waste heat in a useful form.

The apparatus of FIG. 7 has particular applicability in the area of cooling small hot devices such as microprocessors. The generated electricity can in turn be used to help run the microprocessor or some other device or can be stored for later use.

Another benefit of the device in FIG. 7 is that the output molecules in the bulk molecular flow have been cooled. As a result, the device has a low thermal profile. This can be particularly useful in some application where heat is a problem, for example applications in a confined space or certain military applications.

With regard to military applications, devices such as those shown in FIG. 7 could be used to cool many different components of military equipment, for example but not limited to engines, electronics, exhaust ports, and any other heat emitting components. These devices can even be used to mask thermal profiles of people. In particular, thermal imaging devices typically detect thermal difference within a range of approximately 5 degrees Fahrenheit from ambient temperature. Devices such as those in FIG. 7 can cool surfaces and resulting output bulk fluid flow (e.g., flow 33 in FIG. 7) down to within a range of 1 degree Fahrenheit of ambient temperature, thereby making the surface practically undetectable by existing thermal imaging techniques.

Heating Applications

Systems according to the invention can also be used to heat a fluid, for example by heating the elements that form the single molecule systems. (This was shown in FIG. 6, in which waste heat applied to the system resulted in heating of the flow output from the rotor.)

Chemical Reaction Applications

FIG. 8 shows chemical reaction applications for the invention. FIG. 8 illustrates an enclosure with a molecule passing through a single molecule system according to the invention. Any of the arrangements discussed above can be used in this context. Preferably the enclosure includes many such single molecule systems.

For example, in the cooling applications shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, waste heat can be used to provide reaction energy for a chemical reaction. In such embodiments, the chemical reaction preferably occurs within the enclosure defined by the physical, mathematical, or statistical boundaries of the system.

In the case that the system includes a heteroscopic turbine, reaction rate and energy for the physical chemistry process can be governed by a speed of the heteroscopic turbine. Reaction energy also depends on interactions with the surfaces of the elements, which in turn can depend on heat, thermal radiation, electrical charge, magnetic charge, electromagnetic activity, radioactivity, chemical coatings, and the like applied to or by the elements.

The chemical reaction can involve a physical chemistry process that interacts with the enclosure (i.e., molecules or elements that define the enclosure). Such a physical chemistry process can involve molecules in the generated flow.

As mentioned above, the single molecule systems according to the invention can be used to select individual molecules on various bases, including but not limited to one or more of direction, speed, amplitude of thermal translational motion, velocity, mass, degrees of freedom, common properties and quantities, and species. After such selection, the molecules can be used in chemical reactions. The molecular bulk flow of such selected molecules permits high speed reactions.

Furthermore, the characteristics of the molecular bulk flow can be controlled by controlling a speed of rotation of a rotor that includes the single molecule systems, thereby permitting a degree of control over any reactions occurring within or near an output of the enclosures.

In the area of chemical sensors (aka, “sniffers”), the generation of a bulk molecular flow increases the amount of molecules that can be tested in a given time, thereby greatly increasing the sensitivity of such devices. This is a result of the flow being at the thermal speed of the molecules so that more can be sampled.

Mining and Scrubbing Applications

The ability to select and to sort molecules out of a fluid provides the capability to mine or to scrub fluids. Mining refers to the sorting and collection (aggregation) of useful molecules and chemicals from a fluid. For example, free hydrogen (H or H2) can be mined from air by sorting and aggregating such molecules. As another example, bound hydrogen and oxygen can be mined from water molecules in the air, using reaction energy (for example from waste heat) provided to the system to break the bonds. In one application, waste heat from an combustion engine or other type of engine can be used to mine hydrogen and oxygen from humidity in the air to supplement fuel for the engine.

Scrubbing refers to analogous sorting and collection (aggregation) of harmful molecules and chemicals from a fluid. For example, exhaust from a vehicle or factory could be scrubbed to remove pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide.

Technical Appendix

The following technical appendix supplements the foregoing description of the preferred embodiment and forms a portion of this disclosure. Any of the features disclosed in this appendix can be used in conjunction with, instead of, or in any other manner related to the subject matter of the foregoing description and vice verse.

Overview

A fundamental technology comprising a plurality of single-molecule systems separated from their surroundings by an enclosure. The heteroscopic turbine generates and sustains bulk free molecular flow with very little energy expended in the process. The molecular flow facilitates the transfer of physical quantities between the particles in flow with their respective enclosures and the surroundings. Furthermore, molecules are able to be sorted and filtered on the basis of their properties and subsequently interacted with individually. The turbine is operational within a broad range of environments including air at standard conditions.

Generic (Modeless) Specification

Note: The design, physical properties, and operational characteristics of the embodiments vary in accordance with the requirements of the intended application.

Macroscopic Rotor Component Description

In a preferred embodiment, the heteroscopic turbine comprises a plurality of single fluid molecule systems that are incorporated as a portion of the surface of a macroscopic rotor.

Standard means are used to achieve a rotor velocity within the range of the thermal speed of a surrounding working fluid. At this speed, a series of one molecule systems integrated into the rotor's surface can select incident molecules and further interact with them on an individual basis.

Single Fluid Molecule System Component Description

A system compriseing of a single fluid molecule (particle) separated from a working fluid by an enclosure. The working fluid may be filtered.

The enclosure comprises two boundary types; physical and statistical.

The enclosure's physical boundaries comprise of surfaces composed of a substrate material.

The enclosure's statistical boundaries are composed of both space and time and are proportional to the mean free path and related properties of the particle.

Operation

Depending upon the system design and the mode of operation, a particle will either pass through the enclosure, or it will collide with the surface. In either case physical or logical quantities can be transferred, converted to other quantities, maintained, or eliminated as permitted by the conservation laws that govern the quantities.

The heteroscopic turbine has a variety of operational modes and can operate in a single mode or in multiple modes simultaneously.

Modes of Operation:

-   -   Non-interaction-mode     -   Interaction-mode     -   Sort-and-filter-mode

Non-interaction-mode is exemplified by applications that require the particle to proceed through to the exit of an enclosure via its thermal translational motion without the need for, or hindrance that results from, an interaction with a surface.

Interaction-mode is exemplified by applications that require physical and logical quantities to be transferred between particles, enclosures, and surroundings.

Sort-and-filter-mode is exemplified by applications that require the separation of selected particles on the basis of their specific properties.

Modes of Operation Applications:

Interaction-Mode Applications:

-   -   Particle-surface interaction mode     -   A heteroscopic turbine that operates in particle-surface         interaction mode     -   Forced conduction     -   Sustained bulk fluid flow via bulk in viscid free molecular flow     -   A means for generating sustainable fluid thrust     -   A means for affecting a Bernoulli conversion (i.e. random to         directed molecular thermal motion)

Quantity Transfer Applications:

-   -   Recycling waste heat     -   The conductive stator     -   Momentum transfer of a particles excess velocity to a rotor     -   Powering an electrical generator     -   Charging a battery

Enclosure Emission and Sensory Applications:

-   -   charge transfer between a surface and a polyatomic particle that         disassociates with an emitted or conduction transferred charge     -   a particle that bonds with a disassociated atom or with a         molecule as the result of an emitted or conduction transferred         charge     -   identification of a particle's charge or magnetic state via         surface sensory means     -   infusion of the reaction energy to affect a chemical bond or the         disassociation of a chemical bond between particles via photonic         emissions on a particle within the enclosure by a lasing surface

Physical Chemistry Process Applications (See Example 26 et seq.):

-   -   A means of interacting with individual molecules in real time

Non-Interaction-Mode Applications:

-   -   Particle selection based on direction     -   No-interaction enclosure properties (velocity, blade angles &         dimensions)     -   Sustained in viscid free molecular flow within the range of         atmospheric pressure and beyond     -   Sustained in viscid bulk free molecular flow within the range of         atmospheric pressure and beyond     -   A means of generating and sustaining thermal velocity particle         beams

Sort-and-Filter-Mode Applications:

-   -   Sorting and filtering selected molecules based on their         properties     -   Sort-and-filter enclosure properties (velocity, blade angles,         multiple heights, widths, rows of tiered heights, relative         position in annulus i.e. less radius=slower blades=slower         particles selected, relative blade spacing i.e. closer spacing         allows faster particles to be sorted at lower blade velocities.     -   Micro-channel routing     -   Aggregating particles on the basis of their properties         Non-Interaction-Mode Example Specification         Operation

In a preferred embodiment a plurality of single fluid molecule enclosures rotate within the range of the mean thermal velocity of a surrounding working fluid (air) at standard conditions.

A working fluid particle with random thermal translational motion that is incident to an enclosure will enter it. The enclosure's physical and statistical dimensions are within the range of the mean free path of the particle. Each particle passes through the enclosure at its thermal velocity in a state of in viscid, free molecular flow.

Collectively, the particles represent sustained directed bulk molecular flow. As particles exit their individual enclosures, they collide with working fluid molecules. A Bernoulli transformation ensues that generates a plume of directed bulk fluid flow in the working fluid molecules.

Description of the Embodiment

A heteroscopic turbine configured to use fluid motion as a means to generate thrust:

-   -   1. A plurality of single-particle systems compriseing of:         -   a. A single fluid molecule (particle) separated from a             working fluid by an enclosure.         -   b. An enclosure that comprises two boundary types; physical             and statistical:             -   i. The enclosure's physical boundaries comprise of                 surfaces composed of a substrate material.             -   ii. The enclosure's statistical boundaries are composed                 of both space and time and are proportional with the                 mean free path and related properties of the particle.     -   2. An annulus whose width is composed of concentric rings of the         microscopic single particle systems and their supportive         infrastructure.     -   3. A macroscopic rotor assembly whose outermost circumference         comprises the outermost circumference of the annulus.     -   4. Standard means for rotating the rotor within the range of the         thermal velocity of the particle.     -   5. Standard means for providing mechanical support for the rotor         and the annulus structure.         Interaction-Mode Example Specification         Operation

In a preferred embodiment a plurality of single fluid molecule enclosures rotate within the range of the mean thermal velocity of a surrounding working fluid (air) at standard conditions.

A working fluid particle with random thermal translational motion that is incident to an enclosure will enter it. The enclosure's physical and statistical dimensions are within the range of the mean free path of the particle. Each particle passes through the enclosure at its thermal velocity in a state of in viscid, free molecular flow.

Collectively, the particles represent sustained directed bulk molecular flow.

Waste heat energy dissipates from a heat source into a working fluid via a surface located at the input of the enclosure.

In a preferred embodiment, a macroscopic stator composed of a heat conducting material is in thermal contact with a heat source. The stator conducts dissipated heat energy along its length to a terminal end that is populated with a plurality of microscopic stator portals.

Fluid molecules in the surroundings exhibit random thermal translational motion. Fluid molecules with random thermal translational motion incident to the stator collide once with the inner surface of a stator portal. As a result of the collision, the stator transfers heat energy to the particle in the form of kinetic energy. The particle accelerates away from the surface of the stator portal as a result of its increase in kinetic energy.

The particle's thermal motion continues towards another enclosure surface, a blade that has a velocity within the range of the mean velocity of working fluid. A collision ensues and the particle transfers a given percentage of the excess kinetic energy gained from its previous collision with the stator portal, to the blade surface of the enclosure. The blade accelerates as a result of the momentum transferred from the accelerated particle to the blade via the collision.

The acceleration of the blade is used to rotate, and thereby power, an attached rotor of an electrical power generator.

The particle returns to its initial speed as a result of the collision and continues along its path to the terminal end of the enclosure and out into the surrounding working fluid.

Description of the Embodiment

A heteroscopic system is configured to transfer heat energy from a heat source (CPU surface) to its enclosure surfaces in the form of kinetic energy as a means of turning (powering) an electrical power generator used to re-charge a battery.

-   -   1. A plurality of single-particle systems compriseing of:         -   a. A single fluid molecule (particle) separated from a             working fluid by an enclosure.         -   b. An enclosure that comprises two boundary types; physical             and statistical:             -   i. The enclosure's physical boundaries comprise of                 surfaces composed of a substrate material.             -   ii. The enclosure's statistical boundaries are composed                 of both space and time and are proportional with the                 mean free path and related properties of the particle.     -   2. An annulus whose width is composed of concentric rings of the         microscopic single particle systems.     -   3. A macroscopic rotor assembly whose outermost circumference         comprises the outermost circumference of the annulus.     -   4. Standard means for rotating the rotor at the thermal velocity         of the particle.     -   5. Standard means for providing mechanical support for the rotor         and the annulus structure.     -   6. A heat conducting macroscopic stator mechanism     -   7. A plurality of microscopic stator surfaces integrated around         the circumference of the macroscopic stator mechanism     -   8. A plurality of microscopic blade surfaces integrated around         the circumference of the macroscopic rotor mechanism     -   9. A plurality of average naturally incident working fluid         particles

EXAMPLES

1. A one molecule system for generating and sustaining bulk free molecular flow and for transferring physical quantities.

2. A plurality of one molecule systems arranged on a macroscopic embodiment, such as a heteroscopic turbine.

3. An individual one molecule system as in example 1 whereby the molecule comprises a working fluid molecule (particle) that has thermal translational motion.

4. An individual one molecule system as in example 1 whereby the particle's thermal translational motion as in example 3 transfers physical quantities via collisions with its surroundings or with other particles.

5. An enclosure as in example 4 that comprises:

a. At least two opposing substrate surfaces (blades) that exhibit rotational translational motion within the range of the particle's thermal velocity as in example 3.

b. A blade length distance within the range of the mean free path of the working fluid.

c. A distance between adjacent blades that is within the mean free path of the working fluid.

6. A heat conducting heteroscopic stator.

7. A means of transferring momentum as in example 4 between a particle and a blade.

8. A means of transferring kinetic energy as in example 4 between a particle and a blade.

9. A means of transferring heat energy as in example 4 between a particle and a stator.

10. A means of transferring mass as in example 4 between a particle and a blade.

11. A means of transferring data as in example 4 between a particle and a blade.

12. A means of transferring information as in example 4 between a particle and a blade.

13. A means of transferring knowledge as in example 4 between a particle and a blade.

14. A means of transferring momentum between a plurality of particles in a state of free molecular flow and a working fluid whereby sustainable bulk fluid flow is generated.

15. A means of transferring kinetic energy between a plurality of particles in a state of free molecular flow and a working fluid whereby a change of temperature results in the working fluid.

16. An enclosure as in example 5 that selects a particle on the basis of its direction.

17. An enclosure as in example 5 that sorts a particle on the basis of the amplitude of its thermal translational motion.

18. An enclosure as in example 5 that sorts a particle on the basis of the velocity of its thermal translational motion.

19. A one molecule system as in example 1 that determines the species of a particle on the basis of its mass.

20. An enclosure as in example 5 that determines the species of a particle on the basis of its degrees of freedom.

21. An enclosure as in example 17 that aggregates sorted particles on the basis of their common properties and quantities.

22. An enclosure as in example 19 and example 20 that sorts a particle on the basis of its species.

23. A method of cooling a device that is dissipating energy in the form of waste heat by transferring the waste heat energy to incident particles in bulk free molecular flow.

24. A method of generating electricity utilizing waste heat of a device as in example 23.

25. A method of charging a battery, with electricity generated as in example 24.

26. A method of using heat energy extracted from a fluid as in example 23 as a means to provide reaction energy for a chemical reaction.

27. An enclosure as in example 5 used as a site for a chemical reaction as in example 26.

28. A particle as in example 3 that reacts with another molecule within an enclosure as in example 5 that uses energy as in example 26 to accomplish a chemical reaction at a site on the enclosure as in example 27.

29. A physical chemistry process for performing a chemical reaction as in example 28.

30. A physical chemistry process as in example 29 where the other molecule as in example 28 is part of the enclosure substrate material.

31. A physical chemistry process as in example 29 where the other molecule as in example 28 is an incident fluid molecule at the terminal end of the enclosure.

32. A physical chemistry process as in example 29 where the molecules involved in the chemical reaction are any of the known organic or inorganic molecules.

33. A physical chemistry process as in example 29 wherein the reaction energy for a chemical reaction as in example 26 is governed by the velocity of a heteroscopic turbine as in example 2.

34. A physical chemistry process as in example 29 whereby the particle to be involved in the chemical reaction has been sorted on the basis of its species as in example 22.

35. A physical chemistry process as in example 29 where the working fluid as in example 3 is a monatomic gas.

36. A physical chemistry process as in example 29 where the working fluid as in example 3 is a polyatomic gas.

37. A physical chemistry process as in example 29 where the frequency of chemical reactions is governed by the particle selection rates of an enclosure as in example 17.

38. A one molecule system as in example 1 where the quantity transferred is heat energy.

39. A one molecule system as in example 1 where the quantity transferred is kinetic energy.

40. A one molecule system as in example 1 where the quantity transferred is photonic energy.

41. A one molecule system as in example 1 where the quantity transferred is entropy.

42. A one molecule system as in example 1 where the quantity transferred is electromagnetic field strength.

43. A one molecule system as in example 1 where the quantity transferred is kinetic energy as in example 39 in the form of thermal translational motion.

44. A one molecule system as in example 1 where the quantity transferred is kinetic energy as in example 39 in the form of intermolecular vibration.

45. A one molecule system as in example 1 where the quantity transferred is kinetic energy as in example 39 in the form of molecular rotation.

46. A one molecule system as in example 1 where the quantity transferred is mass.

47. A one molecule system as in example 1 where the quantity transferred is momentum.

48. A one molecule system as in example 1 where the quantity transferred is velocity.

49. A one molecule system as in example 1 where the quantity transferred is speed.

50. A one molecule system as in example 1 where the quantity transferred is charge.

51. A one molecule system as in example 1 where the quantity transferred is electronic state.

52. A one molecule system as in example 1 where the quantity transferred is magnetic state.

53. A one molecule system as in example 1 where the quantity transferred is data.

54. A one molecule system as in example 1 where the quantity transferred is information.

55. A one molecule system as in example 1 where the quantity transferred is knowledge.

Alternative Embodiments

The above embodiments have been described in the context of single molecule systems in which the molecules are components of a fluid (e.g., gas or liquid). The invention is also applicable to “single particle systems” in which the particles are suspended in a fluid. For example, the invention can be used to select and sort pollutant particles suspended in air. Other variations are possible.

The invention is in no way limited to the specifics of any particular preferred embodiment disclosed herein. Many variations are possible which remain within the content, scope and spirit of the invention, and these variations would become clear to those skilled in the art after perusal of this application. 

1. A system comprising elements that interact with individual molecules so as to generate and sustain a flow from those molecules.
 2. A system as in claim 1, wherein said elements include an enclosure.
 3. A system as in claim 2, wherein said enclosure is defined by physical, mathematical, or statistical boundaries.
 4. A system as in claim 3, wherein said elements include components that move rotationally to define said enclosure.
 5. A system as in claim 1, wherein said flow is bulk molecular flow.
 6. A system as in claim 5, wherein said bulk molecular flow generates bulk fluid flow.
 7. A system as in claim 6, wherein said molecules are in a state of free molecular flow before interacting with said elements, and wherein momentum is transferred from said bulk molecular flow to a working fluid whereby said bulk fluid flow is generated.
 8. A system as in claim 6, wherein said molecules are in a state of free molecular flow before interacting with said elements, and wherein kinetic energy is transferred from said bulk molecular flow to a working fluid whereby bulk fluid flow is generated.
 9. A system as in claim 1, wherein said elements or wherein other elements transfer physical quantities to or from said individual molecules.
 10. A system as in claim 9, wherein said physical quantities comprise one or more of momentum, kinetic energy, heat energy, photonic energy, mass, charge, electric state, magnetic state, entropy, electromagnetic field strength, radioactivity, data, information, and knowledge.
 11. A system as in claim 1o, wherein said kinetic energy is in the form of thermal translational motion, intermolecular vibration, or molecular rotation.
 12. A system as in claim 9, wherein said molecules are in a working fluid; and wherein said transfer of physical quantities occurs as a result of thermal translational motion of said molecules, said thermal translational motion causing collisions between said molecules and said elements that transfer physical quantities.
 13. A system as in claim 9, wherein said molecules further transfer physical quantities through collisions with said molecules' surroundings.
 14. A system as in claim 9, wherein said molecules further transfer Physical quantities through collisions with other molecules.
 15. A system as in claim 1, wherein said elements that interact with individual molecules are arranged in a macroscopic device.
 16. A system as in claim 15, wherein said macroscopic device is a heteroscopic turbine.
 17. A system as in claim 1, wherein said elements further comprise at least two opposing substrate surfaces that exhibit rotational translational motion within a range of said molecules' thermal velocity.
 18. A system as in claim 17, wherein said opposing substrate surfaces are blades.
 19. A system as in claim 17, wherein a length of said blades is within a range of a mean free path of said molecules.
 20. A system as in claim 17, wherein a distance between adjacent ones of said blades is within a range of a mean free path of said molecules.
 21. A system as in claim 1, wherein said elements select or sort said molecules on a basis of one or more of direction, speed, amplitude of thermal translational motion, velocity, mass, degrees of freedom, common properties and quantities, and species.
 22. A system as in claim 1, wherein at least some of said elements of carry waste heat from a device, and wherein waste heat is transferred to said molecules in said flow so as to cool said device.
 23. A system as in claim 22, wherein said molecules with said waste heat interacts with other elements of said system, said other elements including rotational elements that convert said waste heat into rotational motion, thereby cooling said molecules and driving said rotational motion.
 24. A system as in claim 23, wherein as a result of driving said rotational motion, said molecules are cooled sufficient to mask a thermal profile for said system.
 25. A system as in claim 23, wherein said rotational elements drive a generator.
 26. A system as in claim 25, wherein said generator is used to charge a battery for said device.
 27. A system as in claim 22, wherein said elements are driven by said waste heat to provide reaction energy for a chemical reaction.
 28. A system as in claim 22, wherein said elements include an enclosure defined by physical, mathematical, or statistical boundaries, and wherein a chemical reaction involving said molecules occurs within said enclosure.
 29. A system as in claim 28, wherein said chemical reaction involves a physical chemistry process.
 30. A system as in claim 29, wherein said physical chemistry process involves interaction with said enclosure.
 31. A system as in claim 29, wherein said physical chemistry process involves molecules in said flow.
 32. A system as in claim 29, wherein said elements includes a heteroscopic turbine, and wherein reaction energy for said physical chemistry process is governed by a speed of said heteroscopic turbine.
 33. A system as in claim 28, wherein said elements select or sort said molecules on a basis of one or more of direction, speed, amplitude of thermal translational motion, velocity, mass, degrees of freedom, common properties and quantities, and species; and wherein said chemical reaction involves said molecules after selection or sorting.
 34. A system as in claim 33, wherein a speed or frequency of said chemical reaction is governed by a rate of said selection or sorting.
 35. A system as in claim 28, wherein said molecules are of a monatomic or polyatomic gas.
 36. (canceled)
 37. A method comprising the step of interacting with individual molecules so as to generate and sustain a flow from those molecules.
 38. A method as in claim 37, wherein said elements include an enclosure.
 39. A method as in claim 38, wherein said enclosure is defined by physical, mathematical, or statistical boundaries.
 40. A method as in claim 39, wherein said elements include components that move rotationally to define said enclosure.
 41. A method as in claim 37, wherein said flow is bulk molecular flow.
 42. A method as in claim 41, wherein said bulk molecular flow generates bulk fluid flow.
 43. A method as in claim 42, wherein said molecules are in a state of free molecular flow before interacting with said elements, and wherein momentum is transferred from said bulk molecular flow to a working fluid whereby said bulk fluid flow is generated.
 44. A method as in claim 42, wherein said molecules are in a state of free molecular flow before interacting with said elements, and wherein kinetic energy is transferred from said bulk molecular flow to a working fluid whereby bulk fluid flow is generated.
 45. A method as in claim 37, wherein said elements or wherein other elements transfer physical quantities to or from said individual molecules.
 46. A method as in claim 45, wherein said physical quantities comprise one or more of momentum, kinetic energy, heat energy, photonic energy, mass, charge, electric state, magnetic state, entropy, electromagnetic field strength, radioactivity, data, information, and knowledge.
 47. A method as in claim 46, wherein said kinetic energy is in the form of thermal translational motion, intermolecular vibration, or molecular rotation.
 48. A method as in claim 45, wherein said molecules are in a working fluid; and wherein said transfer of physical quantities occurs as a result of thermal translational motion of said molecules, said thermal translational motion causing collisions between said molecules and said elements that transfer physical quantities.
 49. A method as in claim 45, wherein said molecules further transfer physical quantities through collisions with said molecules' surroundings.
 50. A method as in claim 45, wherein said molecules further transfer physical quantities through collisions with other molecules.
 51. A method as in claim 37, wherein said elements that interact with individual molecules are arranged in a macroscopic device.
 52. A method as in claim 51, wherein said macroscopic device is a heteroscopic turbine.
 53. A method as in claim 37, wherein said elements further comprise at least two opposing substrate surfaces that exhibit rotational translational motion within a range of said molecules' thermal velocity.
 54. A method as in claim 53, wherein said opposing substrate surfaces are blades.
 55. A method as in claim 54, wherein a length of said blades is within a range of a mean free path of said molecules.
 56. A method as in claim 54, wherein a distance between adjacent ones of said blades is within a range of a mean free path of said molecules.
 57. A method as in claim 37, wherein said elements select or sort said molecules on a basis of one or more of direction, speed, amplitude of thermal translational motion, velocity, mass, degrees of freedom, common properties and quantities, and species.
 58. A method as in claim 37, wherein at least some of said elements of carry waste heat from a device, and wherein waste heat is transferred to said molecules in said flow so as to cool said device.
 59. A method as in claim 58, wherein said molecules with said waste heat interacts with other elements of said method, said other elements including rotational elements that convert said waste heat into rotational motion, thereby cooling said molecules and driving said rotational motion.
 60. A method as in claim 59, wherein as a result of driving said rotational motion, said molecules are cooled sufficient to mask a thermal profile for said method.
 61. A method as in claim 59, wherein said rotational elements drive a generator.
 62. A method as in claim 61, wherein said generator is used to charge a battery for said device.
 63. A method as in claim 58, wherein said elements are driven by said waste heat to provide reaction energy for a chemical reaction.
 64. A method as in claim 58, wherein said elements include an enclosure defined by physical, mathematical, or statistical boundaries, and wherein a chemical reaction involving said molecules occurs within said enclosure.
 65. A method as in claim 64, wherein said chemical reaction involves a physical chemistry process.
 66. A method as in claim 65, wherein said physical chemistry process involves interaction with said enclosure.
 67. A method as in claim 65, wherein said physical chemistry process involves molecules in said flow.
 68. A method as in claim 65, wherein said elements includes a heteroscopic turbine, and wherein reaction energy for said physical chemistry process is governed by a speed of said heteroscopic turbine.
 69. A method as in claim 64, wherein said elements select or sort said molecules on a basis of one or more of direction, speed, amplitude of thermal translational motion, velocity, mass, degrees of freedom, common properties and quantities, and species; and wherein said chemical reaction involves said molecules after selection or sorting.
 70. A method as in claim 69, wherein a speed or frequency of said chemical reaction is governed by a rate of said selection or sorting.
 71. A method as in claim 64, wherein said molecules are of a monatomic or polyatomic gas. 